"You call that child a Thing again and we're gonna have more than the few issues we got now," he assured, somehow in a singsongy manner that sounded light to the ear and yet was dripping with warning.

"Ava knows what it is to suffer the cruel hand of a Bowman. And I know she wouldn't inflict harm onto a young woman looking for refuge. I trust Ava to be a good and sound person, however questionable her tastes. She in the house?"

Had Boyd left her alive? There was no real telling.

"I'd like to see her."